Christmas Gala!

What is he looking at?  I'm not telling you.

     Time to feast!  One of the only major student events in December is the Christmas Gala.  It is a massive feast that takes place on north campus for students, staff, significant others, and parents.  The event includes speeches and so on.  Most importantly, it provides a chance to use the "photo-booth" to capture the moments - moments resulting in the admittedly rather snooty picture above.  
     And afterwards?  We party, to a sick dance playlist late into the night.  Is there a better way to celebrate?  (No.)

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Stress Relief!

1.  It's winter, and the snow hasn't happened!  Honestly, it feels like spring still!

2.  I've spent the past few days helping people with their work, and then distracting those same people from their work.  Honestly - there isn't a whole lot going on around campus other than work.  Late work, overnight work - you get the picture.

3.  A few days ago, I got into a really good truth or dare game in the lounge.  People came and went - and the scary truths ("what's the name of the person you most regret telling you liked?") were matched by equally scary dares ("be tickled for 1 minute without fighting back!").  I know - kind of juvenile.  But it's what students will do for stress relief!

4.  Another aspect of any sort of stress time is that some people show up to fewer classes.  This is not generally a good strategy if you want good grades, but when four 10-page essays are due, you sometimes need to push through.  Time management!

A CMU Christmas!

     Christmas @ CMU is one of my favorite times of the year.  Many different concerts, lots of people I know both inside and outside of the school, and hot apple cider make it an evening I really enjoy.
     The event is a massive "create your own concert" experience which takes place all around north campus.  It happens twice, and during each of them the place is simply packed with people.  My family comes every year, so it's a good time to see them and to catch up.



     I can't pick just one highlight, so I'll have to go with two.  I really enjoyed the reading of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas".  The Grinch was played by Dietrich Bartel, one of our music professors, during the first event and by Earl Davy, VP Academic, for the second.  They had very different styles, but both of them made me burst out laughing in the audience.  Well done!  Secondly, this year we ended the evening with a rendition of the Halleluiah Chorus - the largest I have ever been a part of.
     Christmas @ CMU was exactly what I needed to get relaxed and ready for Christmas.  And as an extra bonus, the residence students got hot apple cider all day.  Merry Christmas to all!

Student Life + Christmas @ CMU!

     Crunch time continues.  Yesterday I managed to get together with a friend and go to Starbucks with some people, but I still had to get five hours of studying in.  I need to keep working to survive!
     One way that we are taking breaks is through Settlers of Catan.  We have played absolutely ridiculous amounts of this game in the past while.  How ridiculous?  Two games a day for ten days straight.  It's becoming a very serious endeavour for at least a few of us.

     People have also been trying to continue to exercise.  Sometimes working out is just what is needed - and the weather is still quite warm!  There's also a group going out for wings this week.  Still others have been taking the opportunity to prank their friends, making their lives just a little bit - well, fun, hopefully!
     Christmas @ CMU is coming up soon, and so lots of students have worked hard making cookies out of the goodness of their hearts.  The event is this weekend, featuring a bunch of live music, cookies, and apple cider.  You should come!  Here are the dates: Saturday, November 26 at 7 pm, and Sunday, November 27 at 3 pm.  

To remember is to work for peace

     Yesterday, November 11th, was Remembrance Day.  Mennonite Central Committee has for years produced Remembrance Day buttons with the phrase, "To remember is to work for peace."

"On Remembrance Day we honour those who fought in war and we remember what they gave in service of our country.  The "peace button," an initiative of Mennonite Central Committee, invites us to remember and to work for peace.  Together let us seek and apply non-violent ways toward more justice and safety in our world." (MCC)

     MCC yesterday held a "flash mob" at the Forks in observance of Remembrance Day.  I went with two CMU friends.  Over a hundred people gathered at the Forks Marketplace.  Many students from the school were there, as well as others from my church.   In a low-key gathering, we sang "Freedom is Coming", unveiled a peace banner, and dispersed.
     We remember.  And we will do all we can to work for peace.

Crunch Time!

     Well, it's the beginning of November.  Mid-terms are right behind us, and many of my fellow students are hard at work on their papers.  It is not uncommon for us to have between 10,000 and 15,000 words to write in our various assignments at this time of year.
     Of course, we also need to have fun.  Two weeks ago, we had the Fall Ball, with some outrageous costumes, a spooky haunted house, and a fire truck to boot.  (It turns out that smoke machines turn on fire alarms.  Who knew?)  Student Council had been collecting song suggestions for the party from students, so the music positively rocked (although my favorite song, strategically placed on ALL FOUR suggestion sheets around campus, was not chosen!)  There have also been random dance parties here and there, and longer snack times at 9pm because everyone wants to keep the essay away half an hour longer.  Yesterday, Sean on our floor turned 18.  Something had to be done!  We trecked to the local Original Joe's and toasted in his honour.  OJ's was the first time that the floor had been able to get together and go out somewhere, and it was a blast.  Between the conversations (which ranged from politics to classes to sport teams) we took a well-deserved break from everything.
     I didn't notice it as much this year, because I'm taking less courses, but this is a very stressful time for many students.  I know a few people who are writing papers all night and stressing over the work they have to do.  I wrote papers for what seemed like forever in my first year.  Believe me, you will get better at dealing with it!
    There's still a good deal more work to be done (and fun to be had) before the term ends.  I see some snow-ball fights in my future...!

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Time to Get Practical: Redekop School of Business

     A few days ago, Canadian Mennonite University announced something really exciting.  They are opening up the Redekop School of Business as the business section of the university.  This will be a full business program offering a Bachelor of Business Administration as well as a Bachelor of Arts with a Business major.  The school is being supported financially by the Redekop family of Fraser Valley, BC.
     Through this school, CMU hopes to combine a biblical perspective and emphasis on global peace and justice with top-notch business instruction.  This is what gives the school its distinct edge.  We need more highly motivated people with a strong drive for innovation and entrepreneurship who care deeply about the people around them, are honest, and stand up for what is right.  Our university could be one of the key institutions training these types of people.
    I've always believed that business is one of the main ways we can influence the world around us.  In one sense, a successful business is usually doing something important to a lot of people.  Non-profit organizations also need to apply business skills to a huge extent to be able to use their resources as efficiently as possible.  CMU does an excellent job of giving people the environment they need to become responsible, ethical, Christian people who genuinely want to make a positive difference in God's world.  This is, however, not always enough.  We must be smart in how we work.  We must know how our economic and social systems work.  In short, we must apply our heart to the world in an effective way.
     I think the business school will be able to provide more of this practical side in a way that is complementary and fits perfectly with the good work that CMU is already doing.  And that is really exciting.


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Making Intentional Time for God

     Feeling spiritually empty?  Like you're not feeling God in your life?  It's something that a lot of people struggle with.  One of the things I appreciate about CMU is how we create an environment that helps keep us close to God.  One recent example of this is a small group that has been formulated with the intent of spending intentional time with God.  Every week day, for an hour, this group gets together to spend time in silent reflection with God.  We read through the Psalms, one a day, and then spend some time in silence, making space for God.  The practice is called Lectio Divina, or spiritual reading, and it is a practice that Christians have used for thousands of years to help facilitate connections with God.

     Spiritual disciplines are a bit of a paradox.  They don't create intimacy with God, but when practised regularly they can create good conditions for God to move in our lives.  These disciplines include prayer, fasting, spiritual reading, and many others.  They can be very important in opening us up to intimacy with God.

    One class that has helped me a great deal in this regard is Exploring Christian Spirituality.  This intensive class pushed me to articulate my understanding of Christian spirituality and to practice spiritual disciplines.  My idea of Christianity greatly changed through the experiences I had that semester.  I learned that the impetus was at least partially on me as an individual to cultivate opportunities for God to enter my life.  

     If you're interested in spiritual disciplines, a great place to start is Soul Feast: An Invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life by Marjorie J. Thompson.  It's an easy read, and a good introduction to spiritual disciplines and practices.

    What I especially appreciate about this group is the community aspect.  I feel so much more comfortable spending time with God if it is with others as well.  Going on the journey together provides us with a support network, as well as ongoing opportunities to help others.  
     If you are on campus and want to join, swing by Lee's apartment in Katherine Friesen Apartments at 10:30 in the morning Monday to Friday.  If you don't live here, maybe you want to experiment with some spiritual disciplines, either with others or by yourself.  The spiritual growth can be amazing!

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An Exceptional Weekend

      I had an excellent week.  A bunch of people left us last weekend for soccer tournaments in Edmonton, leaving the campus rather empty for the weekend.  The Fall Festival was taking place, and I managed to catch a lecture on Friday evening about human rights and their connection to the Bible.  At snack on Friday, a bunch of us decided that something had to be done.  We decided to throw a dance party in basement floor Poettker residence.  And by that I mean a three hour dance party with a massive boom box.

It's a good day.

     On Saturday we decided to go to the Forks and have a picnic.  Turns out there was a celebration and fundraiser for the Make a Wish Foundation going on at the same time, so we were able to get our pictures taken next to some mascots.  The Forks is a large tourism spot you should visit at the centre of Winnipeg, two intersecting rivers which have been a meeting place for thousands of years and is a major tourist attraction.
     Sunday I got to go to my home church, River East Mennonite Brethren.  CMU is providing transportation this year, which is very exciting, because I will be able to get to my home church all year.  Sunday afternoon was also the Marilyn Peter-Kliewer Folk Fest.  This took place in the "back 40", a clearing and wooded area next to the campus.  We had various student bands playing, as well as snacks and an amazingly hot afternoon! 

  

     Enjoy your fall!

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The End of September

     The first month of school is drawing to a close, and boy has it been a busy one for me!  The way my schedule worked out, much of the work for the semester is already done.  The weather has been quite good for the past week, but the occasional cold day has proven that winter is on its way.
     One of the most positive influences for me over the past while has been Wednesday night worship, as well as doing my studying with other people in their rooms.  I've been going to my friends' apartments a lot to escape the business of dorm life - I'm sure I'm not the only person who cannot spend much time in their dorm room!
     Sports has been a very important thing for many CMU students at this time of year.  A lot of people are involved in the soccer and basketball teams, and we have been doing quite well.  The womens' team has won their first two games in the Manitoba College Athletic Conference tournaments with some very competitive schools.
      Now, it's time to delve into autumn leaves, Halloween, and Pumpkin Spice Latté's.  Bring on fall!


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